What Treatment Options Are Available for a Brain Tumour at Mazumdar Shaw Hospital?

Hello,

We understand how worrying it can be for a parent when your child is being treated for a brain tumour. Since your son is already under treatment at Mazumdar Shaw, it is important to continue following his treating team’s advice and attend all scheduled appointments and scans.

A brain tumour is not the same in every child. Treatment depends on the type, size and location of the tumour, the child’s age, and how the tumour is behaving. Depending on these factors, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted treatment, or regular monitoring.

Proper Care at Home

• Give all prescribed medicines exactly as advised by his doctor. Do not stop or change medicines on your own.

• Keep a record of medicines, symptoms, seizures, headaches, vomiting or any new changes. This can help the doctor understand how your son is responding to treatment.

• Make sure he gets enough rest and sleep.

• Give nutritious, balanced food and enough fluids, unless his doctor has advised a special diet or fluid restriction.

• Keep his surroundings safe, especially if he has weakness, balance problems, dizziness or seizures.

• Encourage normal age-appropriate activities when he feels well, but ask his treatment team before starting exercise or physical activity.

• Keep all MRI scans, biopsy reports, blood reports, prescriptions and discharge papers safely together.

During Cancer Treatment

If he is receiving chemotherapy or radiation, side effects can occur, but they vary from child to child and depend on the treatment being given. Ask his cancer team which specific side effects you should watch for and when you should call them.

Do not give herbal medicines, supplements or other alternative treatments without first discussing them with his treating doctors, because some products may interfere with treatment.

Watch for These Symptoms

Contact his treating team if you notice new or worsening :

• Headache, especially if it is severe or occurs repeatedly

• Vomiting, particularly repeated vomiting

• Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking

• New weakness or difficulty walking

• Problems with speech, vision or hearing

• Changes in behaviour, memory or concentration

• Loss of balance

• New or worsening seizures

When to Seek Emergency Help

Get urgent medical attention if he has a seizure that does not stop, becomes unconscious or is very difficult to wake, develops sudden weakness, severe breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or a sudden major change in speech, vision or behaviour.

Please do not wait for the next scheduled appointment if a serious or rapidly worsening symptom appears.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth